Tag: walnut recipes

I made this Kale Slaw last week, and my husband and kids loved it! Then I had to take a side dish to some friends house to go with dinner on Saturday night so I made it again (they loved it!). All you need is fresh kale, shredded cabbage, lemons, sesame seeds and walnuts, and most of the other ingredients you already have on hand. It’s so easy and fresh! Just one thing: It’s addictive so you may want to double the recipe. It will keep up to 2 days so enjoy!

My sister, Julie, called me this morning and raved about a granola bar recipe she tried from Giada’s cookbook, Giada’s Feel Good Food. I had all of the ingredients on hand so I tweaked the recipe slightly and made these Super Easy Healthy Granola Bars, which came out awesome! I used liquid coconut oil instead of the safflower oil, added additional oats and vanilla, used golden raisins and added a combination pecans and walnuts instead of just walnuts. These are a fabulous gluten free healthy breakfast or mid or afternoon snack recipe. Since my daughter does not get a lunch break at school, this is the ideal blend of protein, fiber, carbohydrates to help her energized though her day. These also make a great travel snack, so try them now and thank me later!

I am always looking for new, healthy snack ideas for the kids, and if I can come up with a no-bake recipe idea, then even better. My two boys love dried dates, so I thought this combination of dates, nuts and flaxseed would make a great healthy snack, dessert or breakfast idea. You’ll love these too. No-Bake Date Energy Bars are not only “no-bake”, they are also gluten-free and perfect for all of my friends following the Paleo Diet. They also make a great pre or post workout snack so enjoy!

I am such a huge fan of kale. It’s truly so versatile and filled with so many health benefits. Check out my recent article on MindBodyGreen on the “Top 10 Health Benefits of Eating Kale”. Spicy Kale Slaw was on the menu last week at Award Winning Chef, Frank Stitt’s, Highland Bar and Grill restaurant in Birmingham. It was so fabulous that it inspired me to come up with my own. I use a Dijon vinaigrette to flavor mine and added shredded carrots, broccoli and toasted walnuts.

I love to experiment with “No-Bake” cookie recipes, especially those that are gluten-free, Paleo Diet or perfect for Passover which starts this week. I was excited to make this recipe for No-Bake Mini Energy Bites which I made and tweaked from a recipe I saw on the blog, “Gimme some Oven”. Her recipe is great, but if you want a Passover or gluten-free version, try grinding your favorite nuts and omitting the oatmeal. These are incredible, and I honestly could not keep my hands out of the container. My 3 kids had absolutely no idea there was flaxseed in them. Feel free to use almond butter instead of peanut butter and any of your favorite nuts.

Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and kai-lan, a chinese broccoli. It is slightly sweeter than broccoli, and its stalks are thinner so it cooks quicker. I love it when I need to prepare a healthy, fast side dish. Broccolini has great health benefits such as having anti-inflammatory properties, cancer fighting benefits, high antioxidants and more (below). This recipe for Broccolini with Pumpkin Seeds is one of my new family favorites. My kids ate this with no complaints. This recipe is also gluten-free on the paleo diet, and is a super healthy side to add to your weeknight dinner table.

5 Health Benefits of Broccolini:

1. It has beta carotene which helps boost your immune system.

2. It has high levels of vitamin K and Calcium which is great for bone health.

3. It is high in fiber so it aids in digestion, curbs overeating and maintains blood sugar levels.

4. Broccolini is high in Vitamin A and C which help boost immune system, contribute to better vision and helps boost metabolism.

5. Broccolini is high in potassium which is good for the nervous system, promoting brain function and muscle growth.

For more recipes and great information and recipes on metabolism, health and wellness see my FoodLife Project. My first coaching class starts the week of March 26th.

It was great to have a Leap day last week for Leap year. It was like having an extra day (although I worked), but I was so excited to be a part of the “Delightful Discoveries for Leap Year Campaign” for Quaker. I had the chance to giveaway a $75 Visa gift card to a great blogger, Marnely Rodriguez, who won it from my blog a week ago. For my Leap Day discovery, I used my time to create a new Easy Trail Mix Recipe with the new Honey Nut Oatmeal Squares from Quaker. This is a wonderful Easy Trail Mix to eat for a great afternoon snack for the kids and adults. It also makes a great topping to stir in nonfat Greek yogurt, and it’s perfect to make to take on trips (I think I’ll be making some before spring break). My kids and neighbors went wild over it, and before I could get my hands on it, it was all gone.

These No-Bake Paleo Cookies were introduced to me by my friend, Tanya, who has been having success with the Paleo Diet. What I love about these cookies is that they are gluten free, high in omega 3 fatty acids, and best of all, taste great. This recipe is great if you’re on a gluten-free diet, trying to eat low carbohydrates or following the the Paleo Diet, which is based around eating quality sources of protein, fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, seafoods, fats high in omega-3 and low-glycemic carbohydrates. This is a low-carb diet which omits refined sugars and grains, dairy, trans fats, salt, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and processed foods. For more information see The Paleo Diet. Best of all, these cookies are no bake!

Valentines is almost here, and I thought I would share my latest healthy idea of what you can snack on at home, in the office or at your kids’ class parties. This Valentine Trail Mix is filled with healthy nuts, yogurt covered pretzels and raisins. Feel free to add your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Top it off with a small amount of regular or peanut M & M’s, and you’ll have a winning Valentine’s Day treat that is fairly healthy too.

When I saw the cover of Southern Living Magazine last month, I knew this very special Apple Bundt Cake with Praline Frosting had to be on my dessert table for the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. Thanks to my sister, Julie and her friend, Toby, my wish came true. This recipe rocks! What else can I really say? The entire issue of the magazine really does. So many recipes, so little time….I hope if you’re looking for a sinfully gorgeous Apple Cake to make, you’ll choose this one with Southern Flair (my kids loved the Praline Frosting). Happy New Year to those celebrating (and those who aren’t :)).